Sometimes figuring out what to eat feels a bit like hunting and gathering. If you’ve ever looked at your dinner plate and realized it’s really just a curated collection of your favorite snacks — congratulations, you’ve mastered “girl dinner.”
What began as a lighthearted social media trend has become an endearing way to describe how so many of us eat today: swapping three rigid meals for smaller bites that suit our mood, our schedule, or just what looks good in the pantry. It’s snackification at its best, and if you ask us, no snack spread is complete without a cup of tea.
A thoughtful tea pairing can make your “girl dinner” feel like a small ritual, whether topping toast, arranging a charcuterie board, or sneaking a midnight cookie. Here’s how to pair your snacks and sips like a pro.
Tea & Toast
Toast is such an underrated snack. Think about it… Toast is quick, comforting, and endlessly customizable. Consider it your blank canvas. Whether you’re going for a savory morning bite with smashed avocado and egg or a sweet afternoon treat with jam and ricotta, the right tea can bring out the best in every topping. I recommend shopping our Pantry Collection to pick up our Koeze Cream-Nut Peanut Butter and Harney & Sons Wildflower Honey – a timeless combo that never fails to satisfy. (Plus, you can use the honey in your tea!)
Perfect pairings:
- Oolong: Sometimes referred to as a brown tea, oolongs sit between black and green tea. Their subtle complexity complements both savory and sweet toppings, making them perfect for your go-to toast moment. We find they pair beautifully with nut butters, honey, or sesame toast.
- Keemun: Known as one of China’s most celebrated black teas, Keemuns are smooth and mellow with a gentle smokiness and subtle notes of cocoa and fruit. Their refined flavor complements savory toast toppings – think classic avocado with sea salt, fresh sliced tomato, or a touch of smoked salmon for that luxurious, lox-style bite.
- Apricot Black: This fragrant, naturally sweet black tea has a soft, fruity aroma that complements sweeter toast toppings. It brings out the brightness of jams, marmalades, or fresh fruit, and pairs wonderfully with spreads like cream cheese or ricotta. Try it with our assorted tea jams on buttered toast for a simple yet indulgent treat that feels like a bite of summer any time of year.
Charcuterie Boards & Brews
Who says charcuterie is just for wine? Tea is a delicious (and often overlooked) match for the rich, savory, and tangy elements that make for a great board. Its wide range of flavors and aromas can complement salty meats, cut through creamy cheeses, and balance the sweetness of jams or dried fruits. Tea also offers a refreshing, palate-cleansing sip between every bite. Whether you’re grazing midday or hosting friends, pairing tea with charcuterie brings a sophisticated twist to your snack game — no corkscrew required.
Perfect pairings:
- Black Tea: These bold and full-bodied flavors provide a structure and richness that pair beautifully with a charcuterie board’s most salty and savory bites. Their natural astringency helps cleanse the palate, while their malty or subtly fruity notes play well with aged cheeses, cured meats, and sweet spreads.
- Lapsang Souchong: This distinctive black tea is traditionally smoke-dried over pinewood fires, giving it a rich, campfire aroma and deep, savory flavor. It pairs best with strong, salty meats like prosciutto or speck and can bring out the best in smoked cheeses and mustards. If your board leans smoky, Lapsang is your match.
- Soba: Made from roasted buckwheat, Soba is a naturally caffeine-free tea with a warm, nutty flavor and toasty aroma. It’s a surprisingly savory sipper that pairs exceptionally well with creamy cheeses, buttery crackers, and roasted nuts, but don’t overlook its ability to complement sweets. Try it with dark chocolate or a handful of grapes for a satisfying balance of earthy and sweet. Think of it as a grounding element on your board: mellow, comforting, and just unexpected enough to impress.
- Hojicha: A roasted Japanese green tea, Hojicha is smooth, earthy, and low in caffeine, with notes of toasted grain and subtle caramel. Its cozy, mellow flavor pairs well with delicate meats like sliced turkey, and complements creamy cheeses, roasted nuts, or even fresh cherries and figs. If your board tends to lean soft, nutty, and balanced, Hojicha has the warmth to tie it all together.
Feeling Fruity?
A well-built fruit plate is one of life’s quiet luxuries — colorful, juicy, and just indulgent enough to feel like a treat. Whether you’re slicing citrus, piling on berries, or pairing grapes with a bit of cheese, fruit makes for a fresh, feel-good snack at tea time. Light, floral teas complement fruit's natural sweetness and brightness, enhancing those fresh flavors without overpowering them.
Perfect pairings:
- Green tea: Known for its bright, grassy notes and subtle vegetal flavor, it is a refreshing, light-bodied brew that shines hot or cold. It’s complemented by crisp, slightly tart fruits like green apples, kiwi, and citrus slices. You can even infuse your green tea with lemon wedges or thin apple slices to enhance its natural zing for an extra burst of flavor. This creates a vibrant and balanced snack experience that uplifts and satisfies.
- Matcha: A rich, creamy powdered green tea known for its earthy umami flavor and gentle caffeine lift. Whether whisked traditionally, served iced, or enjoyed as a smooth latte, its deep, savory notes pair best with sweeter fruits like ripe berries, peaches, and pineapple. The creaminess of a matcha latte especially complements strawberries and mango, creating a snack that feels both indulgent and nourishing.
- White tea: Delicate and floral, white teas offer a subtle sweetness and softness that highlight the gentle flavors of mild fruits. Pears, apricots, plums, and melon come alive alongside these light teas, enhancing their juicy notes. This pairing creates a soothing, elegant experience that turns a simple fruit plate into a refined tea-time treat.
A Sweet Treat
Sometimes, you just need something sweet. A bite of chocolate, perhaps a shortbread cookie…why not both? And tea offers the balance, warmth, and sophistication to elevate the moment. Bold blends can echo the richness of chocolate, while citrus, vanilla, or mint teas add brightness to buttery cookies and creamy sweets like custard or pudding.
Perfect pairings:
- Hot Cinnamon Spice: Our most popular flavored tea worldwide, this delicious blend includes three types of cinnamon, orange peel, and sweet cloves. Its warm, spiced sweetness effortlessly mirrors the flavors of dessert snacks like shortbread cookies or buttery pecan sandies.
- Paris: Inspired by the chic salons in the city of love, this fruity black tea blends vanilla, caramel, and bergamot for a delightfully aromatic experience. We recommend trying it with dark chocolate chunks or chocolate-covered shortbread. The tea’s vanilla-caramel notes echo the richness of the chocolate, while bergamot adds a gentle citrus lift. It’s like a Parisian patisserie in a cup.
- Earl Grey Supreme: A refined spin on a timeless favorite, Earl Grey Supreme blends brisk black teas with vibrant bergamot and elegant silver tips for a smoother, more elevated cup. Its citrus-forward aroma pairs well with equally bright or delicately sweet treats. Try it with lemon wafers, almond biscotti, or a vanilla cookie. The bergamot sharpens citrus flavors and contrasts buttery bites, making it an excellent choice for croissant lovers.
- Mint Verbena: A bright and refreshing herbal blend combining cool peppermint and lemony verbena. Its crisp, invigorating flavor pairs beautifully with rich, sweet treats, balancing their sweetness with a lively, cooling finish. Try it with lemon bars, the citrus enhances the tea’s natural brightness. Ginger snaps are another great option because they bring a warm, spicy contrast that reflects the mint’s freshness.
- White Vanilla Grapefruit: This bright, citrusy white tea blend has creamy vanilla undertones and a lively grapefruit zing. Its delicate sweetness and refreshing tartness make it a fantastic match for light, flavorful dessert snacks. Pair it with a few macarons or a scone — you can even make your own with our mix. White chocolate adds a luscious smoothness for an ideal pairing that balances the tea beautifully.
For the Midnight Snacker
Late-night cravings call for satisfying yet light enough snacks to enjoy without guilt. Whether you reach for something salty, sweet, or a little bit of both, pairing these bites with a calming cup of tea can transform your midnight snack into a peaceful, comforting ritual. From popcorn and trail mix to cookies or even a handful of chips, the right pairing can soothe and satisfy any late-night mood.
Perfect pairings:
- Chamomile: A go-to for winding down at night, thanks to chamomile’s gentle, floral notes and calming properties. It pairs best with lightly sweet snacks like honey-roasted trail mix or graham crackers, especially with a smear of peanut butter for creamy richness. Perfect to have by your side at the summer campfire while roasting s’mores.
- Vanilla Comoro: Smooth and soothing, this decaffeinated black tea offers warm vanilla notes with a gentle hint of spice. It’s a cozy companion to buttery, caramel-kissed treats like toffee, rice crispy squares, or sweet-and-salty popcorn. The tea’s natural sweetness enhances each bite, making it a comforting late-night snack that feels nostalgic and indulgent.
- Organic Peppermint: A refreshing and invigorating blend that will balance out your savory snack cravings. Its cool, minty flavor lifts the saltiness of pretzels or chips for a snack pairing that feels light and fresh. Prefer something sweet? This tea is just as complementary to fudgy brownie bites or slices of ripe banana with creamy peanut butter.
- Decaf Mango: Lush and fruity with a tropical twist, this blend brings sunshine to your late-night snacking. Its natural sweetness complements that of spiced trail mix or a handful of dried fruit. Hummus and crisp veggies also make for a satisfying match. The mango’s juicy sweetness cuts through the richness of the dip and brings a lively, refreshing lift to crisp veggies like carrots and cucumbers
